MATCH REPORT: DAY ONE ‘MY ANAMBRA FOOTBALL SUPER 8’ FOR ANAMBRA CENTRAL

By Iyke Nwokedi

The much anticipated maiden edition of ‘My Anambra Football Super 8′ tournament, a flagship programme of the Anambra State Football Association (ANSFA), powered by Aspire FC of Adazi-Ani kick started on Monday across four match centres in the state.

Matches for the Anambra Central zone were played at the Awka Football Pitch and the Anambra State Polytechnic Mgbakwu, while that of Anambra North was played at the Ikpeazu Stadium Onitsha with Neros Stadium Nanka hosting matches of the Anambra South Zone.

At the Anambra Central zone, the first game which kicked off by 9am saw FC Hark Dove engage Young Africa FC. The clash saw both sides gave a good account of themselves with tactical display from both sides entertaining the crowd at the centre. Young Africa FA from Nawgu dominated proceedings in the first half of the game but where unlucky not to take the lead as they were denied on both occasions by the woodwork and the calm composure cum display by their shotstopper. In the second period, FC Hark Dove must have had a real pep talk from their technical crew as they improved in all the departments of the game coming close to scoring save for the woodwork which denied them. The game eventually ended scoreless at the end of regulation time with FC Hark Dove needing to progress to the next stage via penalty kicks and sudden death with scoreless at 7-6.

In the second match of the day which kicked off by 2pm, there was hostilities between Solar Spiders of Nibo and Peace FC Awka. Peace FC dominated proceedings as their effort paid off with striker Chigbo Chinenye in the 18th minute finished off from a true ball from a well worked counter attacking play and lovely switch between Ekene Jacob and David Chukwuma. The fleet footed scorer would loadshade his marker sending the Solar Spiders’ Skipper Ani Mmesoma the wrong way for a deserved lead. The capital club almost doubled their lead in the second period as Solar Spiders’ defence line switched off but for a poor finishing from Nwadinume Ugochukwu who missed a typical one-on-one situation as he scuffed his effort wide. Peace FC would however put the game beyond Solar Spiders, it came in form of a howler and poor goalkeeping on the part of their shotstopper Ani Mmesoma with the side holding on to secure a well deserved victory.

Action continues tomorrow with four matches in the offing at the Anambra State Polytechnic pitch Mgbakwu and Awka Football pitch.

FIXTURES (MATCH DAY 2):

Oliver Charles FA Ogidi V Smith City FC Awka – Anambra State Polytechnic pitch Mgbakwu (2pm)

Konti FC Umunnachi V FC Hark Dove – Anambra State Polytechnic pitch Mgbakwu (4pm)

Uncle Ralph FC Mgbakwu V Peace FC Awka – Awka Township pitch (2pm)

Pope John Paul Okpuno V DOSAD FA Enugwu-Ukwu – Awka Township pitch (4pm)